The Week in Tech: Queen’s Speech outlines new data protection laws

In her speech this week, the Queen confirmed the government’s plans to enhance data protection in the UK. The new data protection law will empower individuals to have greater control over their data and give people the ‘right to be forgotten’. The law will also allow young people to request that social networks delete any personal information they may have shared before the age of 18. In addition, the Queen confirmed that UK companies will have to comply with the upcoming GDPR law, in order to share data with other EU members states, and internationally, after Britain leaves the EU.

Tuesday marked the second World Wi-Fi Day, an initiative by the Wireless Broadband Advice, which aims to provide greater universal broadband connectivity in combination with the government and tech suppliers. Figures released on the day showed that more than 625,000 of Londoners don’t have an internet connection, compared to 19% of New Yorkers and 17% of Muscovites. The WBA commented on the importance of bringing connectivity to a wider audience, as it’s becoming “an essential commodity, much in the same category as power and water.”

Matt Hancock, the Minister of State for Digital, made a speech during the CogX AI conference on Tuesday, insisting on the need for tighter regulation around artificial intelligence. Bringing a strong framework to AI is necessary because it requires users’ consent, and according to the minister will “allow fast and sometimes disruptive innovation, and a new underpinning technology that requires a regulatory and governance environment that can move fast too.”

Snapchat launched its latest feature, ‘Snap Map’ on Wednesday, letting users share their current location, appear on maps and notify friends of their whereabouts when they open the app. The new feature was immediately called out for its similarities to another social location app, Zenly. After being suspected of copying the Paris-based app, some started to make the connection between the two companies, with Zenly having recently changed its terms of service. It’s actually transpired that Snapchat recently acquired the app, for between $250 and $350 million.

A big thanks to Leo Cosendai from Third Ear for bringing sound meditation & modern mindfulness to our office today. All the Octopedes who attended had an amazing experience. #WellnessDay https://t.co/Ic3mhGFw3W